MBACLE by Sylvia Stevens, MBA President
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MuLTNoMAH LAwYER Lawyers associated for justice, service, professionalism, education and leadership for our members and our community. March 2005 Volume 51, Number 3 Polishing Our Image MBACLE By Sylvia Stevens, MBA President. To register for a CLE, please see the inserts in this issue or go to When lawyers are asked what their Society suffers when lawyers are collectively and unfairly demonized www.mbabar.org. bar associations should be doing, a and demeaned. e public image of lawyers affects the public’s belief common answer is “improving the in our justice system and the rule of law on which it is premised. image of lawyers.” It is not exactly March news that the public considers the ere is good news, however. e very survey respondents who report Monday, March 21 legal profession to be one of the least a negative perception of lawyers generally have quite different views YLS Commercial Litigation CLE reputable institutions in America, about their personal experiences with a lawyer. Whether or not they Series begins somewhere below the media. believe justice was done in their cases, survey respondents indicate a high degree of satisfaction with their own lawyer’s knowledge, Monday, March 28 Some lawyers believe that attempts to change that public perception handling of the case, and sensitivity to the client’s concerns. Even YLS Commercial Litigation CLE are futile, that the public perception of lawyers is out of our more interesting, a majority of people surveyed also express the belief Series continues control. ey cite authorities from before Shakespeare’s time for the that law is a good and even respectable profession for their children. Wednesday, March 30 proposition that lawyer bashing has been around as long as there have New Residential Construction been lawyers. at may be true, but it seems that the image of lawyers So what can we do to close the gap between the public’s perception of Defects: Scraping off the Mold and the profession has become increasingly negative during the last us and reality? e answer lies in education. When asked what can be Dean Aldrich two or three decades. done to improve the reputation of lawyers and the legal profession in Robert Muth society, survey respondents mention communication and information. Susan Whitney e problem, I think, is that the public impression of lawyers is largely e MBA Public Outreach Committee’s overtures to the media have the product of the fictionalized portrayals of lawyers that are staples been well received and we are working together to develop articles Thursday, March 31 of the entertainment industry. Perry Mason is perhaps the most well- that will enhance public understanding of the rule of law, the legal Direct and Cross Examination known fictional lawyer of modern times, who almost never lost a system, the need for an independent judiciary, and the need for – Keeping it Simple and case and always outsmarted the police and the prosecution. More adequate court funding and facilities. We are also working on articles Getting it Right oen, however, lawyers are portrayed in books, movies, and television that will provide general information about substantive legal issues. Hon. Michael McShane as greedy, manipulative, corrupt or just plain foolish. ink of the Linda Rudnick murdering partners in e Firm, the scheming insurance lawyers Individual lawyers can play a vital role in this public outreach as well. in Runaway Jury, the marginally ethical or personally foolish in e Remember that the law and the legal system is a mystery even to some April Practice and L.A. Law. And my personal favorite, Ally McBeal. of our more sophisticated clients. e most common complaint clients have is that their lawyers don’t communicate well or oen enough. Monday, April 4 Lawyers in the news sometimes contribute to these fictional notions We all know the importance of clear and realistic explanations about YLS Commercial Litigation CLE of the profession. ere is widespread belief that wealthy, high-profile fees and possible outcomes, and regular communication as the matter Series continues citizens avoid civil and criminal liability because of legal technicalities progresses. We should also take advantage of opportunities to explain Wednesday, April 6 and the clever maneuvering of their high-powered, highly- the bigger picture to clients, to help them put their personal legal Multnomah County Judges Trial compensated lawyers. Every network and cable television station has matter in a larger context that will aid their understanding of our Practices: Judicial Perspectives at least one legal pundit who is as much a celebrity as a purveyor of system of dispute resolution. Every interaction with the legal system on Communicating with the reliable information. is a learning experience for clients; we can help to assure that clients Trier of Fact learn the truth and don’t merely reinforce the media stereotypes. Hon. Katherine Tennyson Entertainment and news media is the only exposure most Americans Hon. John Wittmayer have to the legal profession. If the “entertainment model” is the Don’t limit your outreach to clients. Talk to your friends, relatives Hon. Janice Wilson public face of the profession, it is no wonder there is such a profound and neighbors about legal issues facing the community and our misunderstanding of who we are, what we do, and why we do it. society at large; help them understand, for instance, why judicial Monday, April 11 campaigns must be non-partisan and what they should look for in YLS Commercial Litigation CLE It does not help that the specialized knowledge and skill that enables a judicial candidate. Explain the rule of law, separation of powers Series continues us to serve our clients sets us apart from other citizens. We have and other basic concepts of our system they may have forgotten or Thursday, April 14 connections with politics, the judiciary, government, big business never learned. Help them understand why society must provide legal Clark County Practice and and law enforcement that is perceived as enabling us not only to play services to indigent citizens, particularly criminal defendants. Laugh Procedure the system but to shape it to our own purposes. Our knowledge is at lawyer jokes if you must, but use them as tools for education. Hon. Robert Harris something that can be used for or against people’s interests. And we profit from our ability to resolve the problems of people in crisis. We Improving the image of lawyers and the legal profession by dispelling Monday, April 18 are perceived as not policing ourselves well and bar associations are myths and stereotypes is our responsibility. In the words of some YLS Commercial Litigation CLE viewed not as protectors of the public but as clubs that protect the 1960’s sage, if we aren’t part of the solution, we are part of the Series continues interests of lawyers. problem. Start polishing today. e inaccurate portrayal of lawyers in fiction and as celebrities which fuels much of the negative public perception is more than In This Issue just disappointing and frustrating. It is dangerous to our way of life. New on the Shelf......................p. 3 Announcements.......................p. 4 Multnomah Bar Ethics Focus..............................p. 4 Around the Bar........................p. 7 MULTNOMAH BAR ASSOCIATION PRSRT STD Association Tips From the Bench..............p. 8 620 SW FIFTH AVE., SUITE 1220 News from the Courthouse.....p. 8 U.S. POSTAGE Profile - Judge Landau..............p. 9 PORTLAND, OREGON 97204 Annual Dinner PAID YLS.............................................p. 10 Classifieds..................................p. 14 PORTLAND, OR Wednesday, May 18 Dress for Success......................p. 16 PERMIT NO. 00082 Portland Marriott Downtown MULTNOMAH BAR 1401 SW Naito Parkway ASSOCIATION 620 SW 5TH AVE SUITE 1220 PORTLAND, OREGON 97204 Please mark your calendar! 503.222.3275 FAX 503.243.1881 WWW.MBABAR.ORG M u L T N o M A H LAWYER M A R C H 2 0 0 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEYS Need Help? MBA Board of Directors Staff overwhelmed? President �������������������� Sylvia E. Stevens Expert document preparation services President-Elect 17 years experience Kelly T. Hagan Fast turn-around Attention to detail Secretary Agnes Sowle ������������������������� Chapter 7 and 13 Treasurer ��������������������������������������� Peter H. Glade Independent Past President ��� Paralegal Svcs. Robert J. Neuberger Call today! Directors ��������������������������� 503-228-0316 [email protected] W. Todd Cleek ������������������ YLS President ����������������������������� Your complete satisfaction is Lori E. Deveny our business! ABA Delegate �������������������������� www.bkprep4you.com Jeffrey S. Matthews Kathryn L. Villa-Smith Simeon D. Rapoport Helen T. Smith ������ ����������������������� Diana I. Stuart Michael H. Bloom ����������������� Thomas W. Brown �������������������� Nancie K. Potter ������������������������ Executive Director Judy A.C. Edwards Director, Member Services ������������������������������������������������ Guy Walden ������������������������������ ��������������������� Director, Events and Programs Kathy Maloney Administrator, Member Services and Events ����������������������������������������������� Noëlle Saint-Cyr Administrator, Accounting and Office Renee “Max” Maxwell Executive Assistant � ���������� Carol Hawkins ������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������� THE MULTNOMAH LAWYER � is published